Chicago Armenians Commemorate 99th Anniversary of Genocide

astarjian — Dr. Henry Astarjian makes a point during his presentation in Chicago on Saturday, April 26.

GLENVIEW, Ill.—The Chicago Armenian Community marked the 99^th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with a number of events spanning from April 24 to April 27.

The commemorative activities began on Thursday, April 24, with a protest against genocide denial organized by the Chicago “Ararat” Chapter of the Armenian Youth Federation. Held in downtown Chicago, the event was attended by Armenians from across Chicago, as well as by Pontian Greeks, Assyrians, Palestinians, Nigerians, Iraqis and Sudanese.

On Saturday, April 25, the Armenian National Committee of Illinois organized a commemorative program in Shahnasarian Hall. The program opened with the presentation of the colors and the singing of the Armenian and US national anthems by the Chicago Homenetmen Scouts Color Guard. ANC of Illinois Chair Mike Demirjian offered introductory remarks, and then invited former congressman Robert Dold, offered his thoughts and expressed his disappointment, shared by the community, in the failure of President Obama to use the word “genocide” in his annual April 24^th statement.

Following Cong. Dold, the Taniel Varoujan Armenian School students took the stage to perform Artyok Ovker En, Mousa Lertsinerou Yerkuh, and Gliligia, which were warmly received by the audience. Demirjian then introduced the featured speaker, Armenian Weekly columnist Dr. Henry Astarjian. Dr. Astarjian delivered a powerful presentation in the Armenian language, calling on Armenians everywhere to do more. His insightful presentation also included discussion about Armeno-Kurdish relations and the need for Armenians to leverage their worldwide dispersion and become a global power.

On Sunday, April 27, the community gathered at Armenian All Saints Church for a special requiem service dedicated to the memory of the 1.5 Million Armenian Marytrs. Following the hokehankisd, the congregants were led in a procession by the Homenetmen Scouts bearing memorial wreaths to the Armenian Martyrs’ Monument. At the monument, Chicago ARF “Christapor” Gomideh representative Ara Surenian spoke about the upcoming Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, warning that Turkey would be on the offensive, seeking out naïve and self-promoting elements in Armenia and the Diaspora to “share a plate of dolma.”

Surenian was followed to the podium by Chicago AYF representative Daron Bedian, who noted that, unlike previous generations, his generation did not have the chance learn about the Genocide directly from the survivors, and called on the older generation to serve as good examples and teach the youth about commitment and sacrifice through their service to the community. The Chicago Hamazkayin Choral Group then performed a song and the program concluded with the singing of Giligia and a solemn procession with each member of the crowd placing flowers at the Martyrs’ Monument. The program was followed by a memorial dinner offered by the Armenian All Saints Church Ladies Guild and a town hall discussion featuring Dr. Astarjian and an additional performance by the Hamazkayin Choral Group.

Also on Sunday, the Chicago Armenian Relief Society “Zabelle” Chapter organized a Memorial Blood Drive in Hudaverdian Hall. The blood drive, which has been conducted annually for nearly twenty years, has served as a symbolic way for members of the Armenian community to commemorate the sacrifices of our Martyrs by shedding their own blood for the benefit of those in need in the Chicago area.

who spoke about the legacy left to the younger generation.